Wisconsin disaster aid tops $90 million

Sep. 7, 2008 11:00 PM

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Residents can register or update their information with FEMA by calling (800) 621-3362 or (TTY) (800) 462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairment. The toll-free lines are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CDT until further notice. Residents also can register online 24 hours a day at www.fema.gov until the 11 p.m. deadline on Sept.15.Homeowners, renters and business owners can apply for disaster loans from SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Information and help with the application process are also available by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339, by visiting the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov, or by visiting any Disaster Loan Outreach or Business Recovery Center.

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More than $90.3 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for Wisconsin residents affected by June and July severe storms and flooding, according to federal officials.

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said the disaster aid total represents assistance to public entities as well as grants and low-interest loans to individuals and business owners.

"We continue to see new applications for assistance every day," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont. "The deadline to apply is Sept. 15, which leaves little more than a week to have requests considered for a wide range of federal and state aid."

In Fond du Lac County, $5,757,438.91 was distributed to 2,080 eligible households, according to FEMA.

In Dodge County, 791 eligible participants received $1,717,425.79

Here are the statewide recovery statistics as of Sept. 4:

$44.7 million in individual assistance has been distributed in FEMA grants for repair and replacement of storm-damaged housing and for temporary housing.

$6.1 million in FEMA grants has been distributed for other disaster needs such as transportation, medical and dental expenses, moving and storage fees, and replacement or repair of personal property.

$35.5 million has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners.

$4 million in FEMA public assistance grants has been obligated to date for 301 project worksheets from public entities. Public assistance grants fund repair and restoration of storm-damaged facilities and services provided by counties, cities and private non-profit organizations that deliver essential public services.